This crochet pencil case pattern is a fun way to add a handmade touch to back-to-school supplies. The simple striped design is easy to customize with your child’s favorite colors, school colors, team colors, or whatever combination you like.
Made with worsted-weight yarn and basic single crochet stitches, it’s also a great scrap-yarn project. The case is crocheted around two sections of a cardboard tube, which gives it structure, then finished with a hinged top and button closure.
I used a cardboard paper towel tube for mine, but readers have also shared that they’ve successfully made the case using sturdy wrapping-paper tubes and even PVC pipe for extra durability.

Crochet Pencil Case Pattern
Pattern Details
Skill level: Easy
Yarn: Worsted-weight yarn
Hook: 4 mm (US G-6) crochet hook
Finished size: Approximately 8 in. (20 cm) tall
Construction: Worked in joined rounds around two sections of a cardboard tube, then assembled with a hinged top and button closure.
Materials
- Cardboard paper towel tube
- Small amounts of worsted-weight yarn in your choice of colors
- 4 mm (US G-6) crochet hook
- ⅝ in. (16 mm) button
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
Crochet Abbreviations
ch – chain
rep – repeat
sc – single crochet
sl st – slip stitch
st(s) – stitch(es)
This free crochet pattern is written in U.S. crochet terms and abbreviations. Stitch counts are provided throughout the pattern to help you keep on track.
New to crochet abbreviations? Visit my Crochet Abbreviations reference for help. You can also see my Magic Ring tutorial and U.S. to U.K. Crochet Conversion Chart for additional help with this pattern.
Pattern Instructions
Cut the cardboard paper towel tube into two pieces: one 6 in. (15 cm) long and one 2 in. (5 cm) long. Discard the remaining section.
Bottom
Make a magic ring. Alternatively, ch 4 and join with a sl st in the first ch to form a ring.
Round 1: Ch 1 (does not count as st here and throughout), work 6 sc in ring, join — 6 sts.
Round 2: Ch 1, work 2 sc in same st as join and in each st around, join — 12 sts.
Round 3: Ch 1, work 2 sc in same st as join, 1 sc in next, *2 sc in next, 1 sc in next, rep from * around, join — 18 sts.
Round 4: Ch 1, working in back loops only, work 1 sc in same st as join and each st around, join — 18 sts.
Rounds 5 and 6: Ch 1, work 1 sc in same st as join and each st around, join — 18 sts.
Using the long length of the cardboard tube, check your fit. I prefer to keep the tube in place and continue crocheting around it from here on.
Rounds 7–26: Repeat Round 5 until the cardboard tube is completely covered, ending at approximately Round 26 — 18 sts.
Fasten off, leaving a tail approximately 6 in. (15 cm) long.
Top
Using the smaller section of cardboard tube, repeat Rounds 1–11 of the bottom, or continue until the tube is completely covered.
Last Round: Sl st in same st as join and in each of the next 8 sts, ch 5 to create the button loop, sl st in each of the next 9 sts — 18 sts and one ch-5 space.
Fasten off, leaving a tail of approx. 6 in.
Finishing
Line up the joining seams and yarn tails of both pieces. Using a tapestry needle and the long tails, sew the top and bottom together across 5 sts to create a hinge. Line up the ch-5 button loop on the top with the button and sew the button into place on the bottom section. Weave in ends.

Want to customize the basic design even further? I used this crochet pencil case pattern as the starting point for my Crochet Minion Pencil Case, which adds character-inspired colorwork, a crocheted eye, and a different button closure.

More Crochet Patterns for School & Office
- Crochet Pencil Case Pattern – Back to School Crochet
- Adorable Apple Cozies
- Pretty Flower Paper Clips
- Crochet Lace Bookmark
- Flower Push Pins
- Colorful Pencil Cozies


I agree with the crochet hook holder people! Very cute!!!
This is a neat idea and very pretty! I am like Lee Ann it would make a nice crochet hook holder especially the ones you might be taking with you some place to work on a crochet project!
Thanks for sharing it with us!
Indeed !!!!
Hug
Anna
Love it! I made it right away for my daughter, I couldn’t wait. She loves it too. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Fabulous 🙂 Perfect for my crochet hooks too!!
Awesome, I love this! I’m thinking thus would be a great crochet hook holder! 🙂 Thanks for posting!
___
Lee Ann
Crochet…Gotta Love It! Blog
Hello Kara,
The pencil case is really really nice! Thanks for sharing your pattern:)
So Cute! You could use some scrapbooking paper to line the inside of the tube to make the inside just as pretty 🙂
This is so lovely ! thanks for sharing the pattern , I can also see this being used as a make-up brushes storage.
xEva
Your pencil case looks very sweet!!:) every month, I throw out couple of kitchen tissue cardboard rolls. But I have saved a few long back in my ‘best out of waste’ stuff. Will try someday.